POWAY -- Steven Halcomb had never been in a more stressful situation. C.J. Rowe had been in the pressure cooker before and failed.

Both came through big-time Wednesday, as Poway High rallied for six runs -- five with two out -- in the bottom of the seventh inning to beat La Costa Canyon 8-7 in the first round of the CIF San Diego Section Division I baseball playoffs.

Halcomb delivered a bases-loaded double to tie the game and Rowe drove in the winning run with a single to right to complete the surprising turnaround.

"We came back five down a couple of weeks ago to beat RBV, and I told my team then that it was the greatest comeback in Poway history," Poway coach Bob Parry said. "This game is now the greatest comeback in Poway history."

With the win, second-seeded and defending champion Poway (25-6) hosts Granite Hills at 3:30 p.m. Friday in a winner's bracket game. La Costa Canyon (23-9) plays Rancho Bernardo on Friday in an elimination game.

Leading 7-2, LCC coach Justin Machado lifted starting pitcher Max MacNabb, who had tied up the Titans for six innings.

"Max did a helluva job against one the best teams in the county," Machado said. "But his pitch count (111) got him."

Brett Friedman started Poway's winning rally with a leadoff single. With one out, Connor Joe doubled him home. Austin Wynns was safe on a error and Dillon Dooney walked to load the bases with two out. Trevin Lipe walked to force in one run, and on a full-count pitch, Halcomb hit the left-field gap to clear the bases and tie the game.

"I've never been in that kind of situation before," Halcomb said. "I was nervous, but focused. I didn't want to make the last out because it was a complete team effort to get to that point. When the count went full, I was looking for a fastball, and I wasn't going to let anything go."

Rowe, who started the game as the DH struck out in his only at-bat, had been replaced by Brian Kuklok. With the game tied, Parry went back to Rowe, who singled through the right side.

"I was in the same spot against RBV a couple of weeks ago, and didn't come through," Rowe said. "I'd also never been in a game where I was in, then out, then in again. I was itching to get up again. I just took a deep breath, tried to keep my composure, and was able to come through in my first playoff game."

Mitch Tybroski had a big day for LCC with a pair of doubles, a walk and was robbed of extra bases in the top of the seventh on a diving catch by Brett Thomas. Phillip Evans had three hits for the Mavericks.

"We didn't get a break for the first six innings, and it would have been easy to give up," Parry said. "But the kids battled like crazy and got it done."

Staff writer John Maffei can be reached at 760-740-3547.